Tommy Herron

Tommy Herron (1938-15 September 1973) was a leading member of the Ulster Defense Association and its spokesperson during the first two years of its existence (1971-1973) during The Troubles. Herron was killed by hitmen sent by fellow UDA leader Charles Harding Smith during a power struggle in 1973.

Biography
Tommy Herron was born in Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1938 to a Protestant father and a Catholic mother, and he would become a follower of Presbyterian preacher Ian Paisley despite being a baptized Catholic. Herron worked as a car salesman in East Belfast before joining the Ulster Defense Association on its 1971 foundation, and he became its East Belfast leader and its spokesman. In 1972, he became enemies with Charles Harding Smith, who decided to arrange for Herron's assassination so that he could take over the UDA. He survived an assassination attempt at his home in June 1973, during which his brother was killed by some of Smith's men. In September, Herron was kidnapped and executed with a gunshot to the head, and his body was found in a ditch in Drumbo, County Antrim.